Motorcycle enthusiasts invited to participate in 20th anniversary Ride for Dad

The annual campaign that brings motorcycle enthusiasts together to raise money for prostate cancer research kicked off earlier this week in Kitchener in advance of the 20th anniversary of the Grand River Motorcycle Ride for Dad on June 1.

The ride, sponsored by the Waterloo Regional Police Association and the Grand River Hospital Foundation, involves hundreds of participants in a one-day, 156-kilometre pledge ride as police escorts guide them on a parade through Kitchener and Cambridge.

In honour of the ride's 20th Anniversary and in conjunction with Blackbridge Harley Davidson, in Cambridge, $200 in pledges also gets riders an automatic entry to win a HD Pan America, which will be awarded Sept. 28 at Blackbridge. The same level of pledges also earns riders entry in a national contest to win a BMW R1 Roctane.

The ride includes stops in Guelph, Wellesley Township, Cambridge and Stratford, on some of the area’s most scenic roads.

Breakfast at Moose Winooskis is included with registration.

Participants also get lunch in Cambridge, at the Waterloo Regional Police Association Recreation Centre, as part of the $40 pre-registration fee or $50 ride day fee.

Registration is free with $100 in pledges.

All proceeds raised locally support the work of the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre.

Since 2004, 11,436 participants, hundreds of volunteers, thousands of donors and corporate Sponsors have helped raise over $2.6 Million for prostate cancer research and public awareness in the region.

Nationally, the Ride For Dad has raised more than $42 million in the ongoing fight against prostate cancer.

The Grand River Motorcycle Ride For Dad will take place Saturday, June 1, departing from Sportsworld Crossing, at Highway 8 and Sportsworld Drive, Kitchener, at 9:30 a.m. sharp.

Registration begins at 7 a.m.

For complete details, visit the Grand River Motorcycle Ride For Dad website.

Pre-registration will take place at the Waterloo Legion Branch 530, 316 Marsland Drive, on Friday, May 31 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The first 200 participants to pre-register or complete their online check in will receive a SWAG bag, featuring a limited edition 20th anniversary pin.